Ms. Daisy's 100 Little Things to Be Happy About

Hey lovies.  Yes, I know, it's been a while.  I have been working on getting a business started while doing school, creating a website for the business, running the usual household things and the chickens, teaching, and keeping the plates spinning, so I haven't had a lot left over to pour out in this direction.

Alas!  I am here for the moment and I wanted to give this to you.

Life is funny, isn't it?  Sometimes it's just so darn funny, it's not even funny.  In those times, you might just need to remember the good things that are out there - things that don't deplete your wallet (that much, anyway), and things that just make you smile because of what they are.  With that in mind, I wrote up a list of things that make me happy.  I've seen other people do similar things, but I am pretty sure I'm the only one whose list includes the entry "butter in general" (see #55).  I wouldn't want to deprive you of such illustrious things, and so I am here to share.

(p.s. I met up with a friend I haven't seen in a decade or more and she brought me a present!  What was it?  Why, a 3 pack of Kerrygold grass fed butter, of course!  Thank you, dear!)

Without further ado, may I present to you - Ms. Daisy's 100 Little Things to Be Happy About

1. A hot bath right before bed.
   
2. Seeing your kid swinging happily on the swing when they don’t know you’re watching.
3. The one cup of hot black tea you have at breakfast.
4. Laying with eyes closed in the sunshine.
5. Having a conversation and a cup of tea with someone who makes you happy.
6. Being in the middle of an amazing book.
7. Speaking to someone in another language.
8. Hitting the bullseye on the first try.
9. When your favorite flavor of Kevita is available and on sale.
10. Oboro incense.
11. Smelling something that flashes you back to a moment in your life and it’s so real, you can see and feel it.
12. When you must do the laundry and the basement is cold, but you can wrap a large hot towel around yourself and stick your head into the dryer and take a pretend nap on the warm clothes.
13. Finally sitting down after being on your feet all day.
14. What your kitchen/fridge/house/bathroom/vehicle looks like when it is perfectly clean.
15. Cracking an egg into a butter-filled cast iron pan that is so fresh, it’s still warm.
16. Jumping into the pool (or a lake) and watching the bubbles rise up around you.
17. Staring at the sky in the middle of the summer at sunset floating on your back in the middle of a lake.
18. Showering outside.
19. Finishing a triathlon.
20. The lateness of sunset in the summer.
    
21. Walking barefoot in the grass when it’s warm.
22. Hopping fences.
23. Cartwheels.
24. Getting paid to do what you thrive on.
25. The feeling right when the plane lifts off of the ground.
26. Sleeping until you wake up on your own.
27. New York City.
28. Having a passionate intellectual argument.
29. Laughing until you can’t breathe.
30. Falling asleep with the window open.
31. Being able to fix something for someone.
32. Saunas.
33. The feeling of an amazing foot massage.
34. Falling asleep when you are exhausted.
35. Getting a package in the mail.
36. Writing with a black Bic gel ink pen in bold 1.0.
37. Writing (or reading) a poem that expresses exactly where you are at that moment.
38. When herbs first sprout in tiny pots on your windowsill.
39. Digging your toes in the sand at the beach and not having anything requiring your immediate attention.
40. Getting a hug when you really needed one.
41. Lying in bed and realizing you got everything done you needed to that day.
42. Driving really fast (safely, of course).
43. Going for a run that exhausts your body, clears your mind, and alleviates your soul.
44. Painting your nails your favorite color.
45. Being alone in your own space.
46. Having a happy dream that when you wake up, it seems like it might really have happened.
47. Getting a text that makes you burst into laughter.
48. Re-reading a text that makes you sigh happily.
49. Watching your itty bitties sleep.
50. Seeing the sunrise from the woods.
51. The memory of epic youthful shenanigans.
52. Mission Peninsula.
53. Being genuinely happy for someone else’s good news.
54. Homemade bread with grass-fed butter.
55. Butter in general.
56. Being the person that someone wants to tell their new news to.
57. Your favorite classical/jazz music piece.
58. Finding the perfect gift for someone.
59. When it’s been raining all day and then the sun peeks out brilliantly and overpoweringly.
60. Getting to see ancient art in person (and wondering how many eyes and generations across the whole world have taken in that same painting/sculpture).
61. Really great foodie-grade (dark, obviously) chocolate.
62. The mountains.
63. The first day that it feels like summer of the year.
64. Seeing a hummingbird.
65. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
66. The scent of your lovies.
67. Looking at your friend and knowing exactly what they’re thinking at that moment.
68. PR-ing a race.
69. The silence, the movement, and the freedom of swimming underwater.
70. New running shoes, a new endurance suit.
71. A good hair day.
72. Teaching someone something and getting to watch the light bulb turn on in their head.
73. Delicious, wonderful, amazing, hippie scented patchouli lotion.
74. Your favorite undies.
75. Finding someone who understands you.
76. An exceptionally beautiful face.
77. The vibrant green-ness of the grass in spring.
78. Campfires, fireplaces.
79. A hot washcloth covering your whole face.
80. Knowing that life usually works out just fine.
81. Learning.
82. Daisies and tulips.
83. Running past apple blossom trees in full bloom.
84. Seeing good friends again from a lifetime ago.
85. Summer + live music + outside + your favorite drink
86. Orion in the night/early morning sky.
87. Buffalo meat.
88. Listening to somebody’s story.
89. Flying down a hill on your bike.
90. Getting a massage when you are so sore that you involuntarily cry-laugh-drool-gasp in reaction to muscle pressure.  Stop!  No, go.  Stop! Go! Ow! More!
91. Getting in a(n outside) hot tub after skiing (or swimming/running/biking) especially while it is snowing.
92. The first red, ripe, garden tomato of the season.
93. Icelandic full-fat yogurt.
    
94. Getting into a bed of just-washed sheets and a super fluffy down comforter.
95. Falling asleep to your hair being played with.
96. Night swimming.
97. Listening to your little one laugh ridiculously at something ridiculous.
98. The way Londoners speak.
99. Kitchen dancing. 
100. The thought that you can change the world for the better a little bit every day.

Yes, it may be unique to me, but perhaps some things resonate with you also.  If they don't, well then, get yourself your own piece of paper and start making your own list.  In fact, I'd love to hear it.  Wanna share?  Comment below.  I read every single comment.

Peace, love, and focus on the happy,
Ms. Daisy